This publication presents information about the educational experience of persons aged 15-64 years, especially in relation to their labour force status.

Statistics in this publication were collected in May 2004 as a supplement to the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) monthly Labour Force Survey.

Information collected in the survey includes participation in education in previous year, and in survey month; labour force characteristics; type of educational institution; level of education of current and previous study; highest year of school completed; level of highest non-school qualification; level of highest educational attainment; unmet demand for education in current year; and characteristics of apprentices.

CLASSIFICATION OF EDUCATION

The Australian Standard Classification of Education (ASCED) (cat. no. 1272.0) was introduced into ABS collections in 2001. It replaced a number of education classifications used prior to 2001 for data from the various sectors of the Australian education system, including the Australian Bureau of Statistics Classification of Qualifications (ABSCQ) (cat. no. 1262.0). ASCED comprises two classifications: Level of Education and Field of Education. For further details, see paragraphs 18-23 of the Explanatory Notes.

ROUNDING

As estimates have been rounded, discrepancies may occur between sums of the component items and totals.

INQUIRIES

For further information about these and related statistics, contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070 or James Ashburner on Canberra (02) 6252 7934.

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

PARTICIPATION

In May 2004, there were 13,173,000 persons aged 15-64 years in the scope of the survey, of whom 2,426,500 (18%) were enrolled in a course of study. Approximately 918,700 (38%) of these enrolled persons were attending a Higher education institution, 708,000 (29%) were at school, 531,000 (22%) were at Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutions, and 268,700 (11%) were at other educational institutions.

Of persons enrolled in a course of study in May 2004, 53% were females, 43% were aged 15-19 years, and 63% were studying full time.

Study leading to a qualification

Approximately 2,333,200 (96%) persons who were enrolled in a course of study were enrolled in a course leading to a qualification.

The proportion of persons aged 15-64 years enrolled in a course leading to a qualification increased from 16% in May 1994 to 18% in May 2004.

Of persons who were enrolled in a course leading to a qualification, more than one in four (28%) were studying for a Bachelor Degree, of whom 48% were aged between 20 and 24 years, and 24% were aged between 15 and 19 years.

Other than Mixed field programmes, which includes persons studying for Year 12 or below, the most commonly reported main field of education of current study for persons enrolled in a course leading to a qualification was Management and commerce (19%), followed by Society and culture (13%).

EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT

Level of highest non-school qualification

The proportion of persons with a non-school qualification increased from 39% in May 1994 to 51% in May 2004. This increase was mainly in persons whose highest non-school qualification was a Bachelor Degree or above (12% in May 1994 to 19% in May 2004). The proportion of persons whose highest non-school qualification was an Advanced Diploma or below increased from 28% in 1994 to 31% in 2004.

Among the 6,699,200 persons with a non-school qualification, the most commonly reported fields of education for the highest non-school qualification were Management and commerce (23%) and Engineering and related technologies (20%).

Of persons with a non-school qualification, 81% were employed, compared to 61% without a non-school qualification. Of employed persons with a non-school qualification, 77% were full-time workers, compared to 64% of employed persons without a non-school qualification.

Level of highest educational attainment

Approximately 28% of persons aged 15-64 years reported their level of highest educational attainment as being Year 10 or below. The level of highest educational attainment of a further 20% was Year 12, while 15% had a Certificate III or IV as their highest educational attainment, and 19% had a Bachelor Degree or higher.

STARTING A COURSE OF STUDY

Approximately 357,600 persons who were not enrolled in a course of study leading to a qualification in 2003 were enrolled in a course of study leading to a qualification in May 2004. Of this group, 32% were aged between 25 and 34 years and a further 21% were aged 20-24 years, 58% were female, while over two-thirds (71%) were employed. Of these employed starters, 64% of employed persons worked full time.

LEAVING A COURSE OF STUDY

Approximately 964,800 persons who were enrolled in a course of study leading to a qualification in 2003 were not enrolled in a course of study leading to a qualification in May 2004. Of this group, 23% were aged between 25 and 34 years, 22% were aged 20-24 years, and 82% were employed. Of these employed leavers, 73% worked full time.